Self Portrait

I am Samuel Earl Parker. I am an Artist. Born November 16th, 1980, I have had a passion for art as far back as I can remember. Loving drawing from the time I was able to write, I discovered a love for painting in high school. My college career has taken me through many mediums, and I find I am as taken with each new medium as the one before. I love learning new ways to express my creativity through the IPFW Fine Arts Curriculum.
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I am the youngest of four remarkable children. I was born to incredible parents who have always told me to be whatever I want to be. As I work my way through my undergraduate degree, I have been guided, inspired, and supported by my beautiful wife of five years. The people in my life make me a truly blessed individual with their unconditional love and support. The blessings have continued with opportunities for growth at every turn.
It is my hope to find a way to support myself and my family with my artistic abilities. I have dreamed of creating art viewers will appreciate and display in their homes, offices, and other special spaces. I have also considered the possibility of working with budding artists when I have matured more in my personal journey. I have been so inspired and motivated by the professors and professional artists I have worked with, I would love to pass that on someday.
Most of all, I hope to create artwork which will inspire and move others. I want the viewer to see the subject of my artwork through my eyes and appreciate the beauty, delicacy and wonder God has created. - S.E. Parker

Inspiration

This piece has strong African influence. I worked on this piece immediately after a student workshop with Fred Mutebi, a visiting artist from Africa known for his wood-cuts, expressing his heritage as an African man and attempts to make unity with the world around him. We focused on creating wood-cuts together which expressed an African theme of unity. At the time I created this wood-cut, I was also studying Pablo Picasso during a time when he was studying African artwork.
As an artist, I believe I have a responsibility to teach harmony to the world. More than ever now when there is so much hatred in the world, humanity needs to walk a humble path. Perhaps if I show the world how I view issues, they may be able to feel what I feel. - S.E. Parker